Monday, March 16, 2015

Reapplying makeup with dirty brushes will only lead to a face full of bacteria. Yes, any makeup artist will tell you that brush-cleaning time is their least favorite part of their job. Remember to clean your brushes after each use. If you don't care about that dirty brushes can make you breakout, be informed that they will affect your makeup application. Would a painter use a dirty brush to paint your walls? Exactly. Not only will the colors muddle together, the bristles are already overloaded with product, blurring your perfect cut crease.

Monday, September 30, 2013

I had the most amazing weekend! Ok, so I need to step my face painting game up but so what the kids loved it!! I told my client that face painting wasn't my forte but she insisted on hiring me for the job. I always appreciate people pushing me to do more. That makes me so much better as an artist. Anyway the kiddies were too pleased. They weren't as critical as I thought they would be. I had so much fun face painting. I just distracted them and talked to them as if we were the same age lol. I'm a big kid anyway. Karen luh da kids!

I had my face painted as a cat so that was definitely was a conversational piece.

The Birthday Girl. I loved her response when she looked in the mirror

She's so precious! She saw me and asked me to paint a unicorn. Um...I can give you a pretty pink butterfly (I think lol)

Friday, June 21, 2013

Welcome to the First Day of Summer. When the summer months roll around, we look forward to wearing less makeup. Not only is it a much-needed change from the dark lipstick and thick foundation we typically wear in the winter, but it's also an easy way to avoid a makeup meltdown.

But don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that once the thermometer reads 70 degrees and higher you should simply go bare-faced. Instead, lightening up your summer makeup look should be more about embracing a more healthy glow.

To help you put your best face forward all the way through Labor Day, I want to share some summer makeup tips for beautiful, breathable skin.

Summer is all about embracing the natural essence of your beauty. Start by applying coconut oil on the face as a moisturizer right after the shower for hydrated and luminous skin. Here's my fave:

Using less makeup allows your skin to breathe and appear naturally flawless instead of heavily made-up. Opt for a full-coverage concealer in areas that are in need of camouflaging, then blend out a lighter layer of foundation or BB cream on the rest of the face. Remember to grab a BB cream formula with SPF. Primers for both face and eyelids are perfect for summer, as they'll extend the wear and seamless finish of your shadows and foundations.

Avoid applying products that are not the right formula for your skin type because it will start to run down your face midday - and if it's not the right shade, it will appear streaky. A lightweight, water-based foundation with SPF followed up with bronzer in place of translucent powder will impart enough warmth without becoming too cakey.

Use your fingers to dab on a cream blush in a pinky-coral hue for sexy flush, or try a baked pigment blush, which is more resistant to sweat, humidity and face oils. Matte or satin eyeshadows and eye pencils are great for during the day. But at night, try brushing on a golden shimmer to the center of lids, which will add an instantly brightening effect. And of course, apply a few coats of waterproof mascara to thicken and lengthen lashes. To complete your summer makeup look, use this motto: "When in doubt, gloss it out!" Sheer lip gloss in punchy pinks, hot corals or shimmering nudes are perfect.

A bold lip color is hot for spring and summer, but not just red. There are plenty of fun of colors to wear, like tangerine and pink, that look great on every woman - no matter your age or skin tone. Just have to pick the right color and wear it with confidence! Check out these different shades of beauties rocking the hottest summer trends:

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

There's a serious beauty trend for 2013 for the bold and the beautiful. Bold and bright shades of neon coral, magenta, and vivid red are making their way to self-expressed brides. I love this look and hope that the brides I work with will be rocking this down the aisle.

Nothing makes you feel sexier than a bright bold lip. If you’re a bride looking for an edgier look on your big day, we suggest you go for it!

Yes, its a little risky because you don't want to get it all over your groom on your wedding day, so go with a color stay lipstick or a stain. Can you imagine looking at your photos for the first time, and seeing (gasp!) a smear of lipstick on your pearly whites? Or your groom looking like he just went to war with a M.A.C. makeup artist, sporting a rosy red ring around his perfect pout in all the pictures? Definitely not ideal for such an important occasion! So if you decide to wear a non-neutral hue on your blushing bridey lips, make sure to work with a professional to select the best products that will keep the color on your lips and nowhere else.

Now take a look at the gorgeous inspirations and keep these helpful hints in mind when considering a bright lip color:

Bright bold lips should be paired with more understated eye makeup. So if you're married to fake eyelashes and a dramatic smoky eye, it's best to save the vivid lipstick for another time - maybe you can save it for the reception when it's party time.

The lipstick shade you choose should complement your skin's complexion.

Don't be afraid to pull out your dress and try different makeup looks at your trial. You want be sure that this trend you are about to follow is right for you. If you normally wear bold lipstick anyway, go for it.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

This most amazing thing that has happened to me so far this year is working in a studio with the most talented, professional people. The energy that our team radiates while preparing for a shoot is entertaining and the results that we produce are miraculous. Transformers. Premium makeovers - Transformations is what we call the sessions. People walk in timid but before they leave, they are comfortable in their own skin; they let their hair down - they are transformed into self-expressed beings.

Our Transformations sessions have been a success so far and we look forward to creating more memories; allowing people to develop their own identities, giving them looks that they absolutely love; and making them look and feel unbelievably beautiful.

Caitlyn

Jameela, Bride-To-Be

Energetic Jayde

Tag Team! Terion and Karen perfecting the look with right before the shoot.

Spring is here! What better way to show off some of your favorite spring colors than expressing them with your makeup! I love wearing bright colors, however, there is a right and wrong way to wear them. Read on for the best tips and tricks on how to brighten up your makeup to get a fun, flawless spring look!

1. Colorful Lips
Don’t ignore all the fun shades of pink! Bright, bold lips are a great way to brighten up your makeup. Find the perfect shades for your skin tone and rock those perfect lips! Try adding some lip gloss to your lipstick routine and give it a little shine. Be bold! Add some subtle blue and green hues to your routine.

I am a big fan of introducing turquoise into your beauty rotation. Make your lower lash line pop!

3. Highlighting
Highlighting is a great way to brighten up your face this spring! Highlighting is an amazing way to enhance your facial features. It will help give your skin a flawless look this spring! Follow this guide brought to you by Kevin Aucoin in his popular book, Making Faces.

4. Don’t Forget The Blush!
Most women forget to add blush to their makeup routine. Adding blush will instantly awaken your look. Don’t be afraid to use brighter blushes! Lighter blushes tend to fade as you blend your makeup. So start purchasing shades that have some color to them.

Be daring enough to try some of these fashionable tips! Get out of your comfort zone of wearing neutral colors and start being bright and bold for spring!

Friday, February 15, 2013

Sunday was our first time working in the studio. Sandy Darrell was our first client. She's an emerging fashion stylist who has spent her early life in New Jersey, moved to Bermuda to start her family, and now currently living in Atlanta. Her style is classy and chic. We spent a total of two hours transforming her entire look.

I started off with sculpting Sandy's brows. She normally gets her brows threaded, but unfortunately I forgot my threading tools at home [grrrr...I didn't think that I would need them], so I shaped her brows by tweezing. I normally don't like to shape brows by using tweezing as my only method, but because Sandy isn't new to the pull by threading, she was a trooper with tweezing.

Before applying makeup, I used a primer. Although Sandy's skin is free and clear from blemishes and harsh lines, primer was still necessary for keeping the oil from her skin at bay to provide a smooth canvas for the foundation to stick to. I used a concoction of Iman and MAC products for concealing and for her full makeup coverage. I chose warm, gold hues for her eye shadow, since she planned on having numerous wardrobe changes. Then switch of the lip was the best move. I started off with a bold red lip for her black & cream dress. I used MAC Ruby Woo as a thick liner and added a touch of MakeUp Forever Aqua Cream in red for dimension. To complement her peachy dress, I went for a nude lip with NYX Creamy Beige. Sandy's final ensemble consisted of an all black dress complemented by a Cosmopolitan Fascinator Hairpiece, so I had to end it with a banging oink hue, Matté Sweet Pink by NYX.

Sandy's skin remained perfect throughout the shoot; with just a couple touch ups on her blush here and there, her makeup remained in tact.

It was a pleasure creating the look for Sandy that she absolutely loved. The transformation was amazing. It brought out something in Sandy that she already knew she had - self-expression and true beauty.

It's great to work with the most humble and talented artists I know. It's been a long time coming, but we're finally here - specifically at 614 N. Valley Brook Dr., Decatur, Ga. 30033.

About Me

Karen has extensive makeup artistry experience and has worked with cosmetic lines, fashion designers, and all facets of media productions including Bronner Brothers and Sophisticate's Black Hair Magazine. Karen focuses her creative edge on fashion, beauty, editorial and wedding makeup; using only the best in makeup brands. She is capable of bringing your vision to life for any memorable occasion making you look and feel unbelievable beautiful!